After a disappointing loss in the opening T20I, Pakistan have their backs against the wall as they come into the second T20I in a must-win state.
Pakistan fell 11 runs short in the opening game, though there were a host of positives for Mohammad Rizwan’s boys, which they will look to work on to bounce back and tie up the series.
Ahead of the second T20I between South Africa and Pakistan, here are our match preview and predictions.
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Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi had put the hosts in a spot of bother early on at 28/3 after the Proteas elected to bat, but it was the veterans David Miller and George Linde who took South Africa to a respectable 183. Afridi, who has struggled with the ball of late, found his rhythm again with a three-wicket haul, while Ahmed was among the wickets as well. The explosive Haris Rauf, however, went wicket-less and was expensive, something Pakistan will hope changes in the second game.
While Rizwan started well, Babar Azam suffered a duck, which put Pakistan on the back foot early on and they never really recovered after that. Rizwan fought a lone battle and almost saw his team through before falling in the final over. He will hope for a better performance from his inexperienced squad.
For the hosts, Kwena Maphaka gave them the early big breakthrough by picking up Azam before George Linde’s four-for killed Pakistan’s chances of chasing down the target.
At Centurion, the venue for the second T20I, expect a ton of runs and some assistance for the slower bowlers. While the hosts might have started with a win, count on Pakistan to bounce back to tie up the series.
Fantasy XI: Mohammad Rizwan, Reeza Hendricks, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, George Linde, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Anrich Nortje
Venue: Centurion
Winners Prediction: Pakistan
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